Casablanca (Arabic: الدار البيضاء), almost universally referred to as 'Casa', is the cosmopolitan, industrial and economic heart of Morocco and its largest city, as well as perhaps one of the less obviously endearing cities in the country. With a small, unassuming medina and a busy ville nouvelle, travellers arriving via Casablanca may be tempted to find the first train out to nearby Rabat. The awe-inspiring Hassan II Mosque and happening nightlife, however, are worth at least a day of your Moroccan itinerary. And if you are the more adventurous, independent sort of traveller who wants to go beyond what is 'pretty', this is North African big city life in all its grit and glory, with its cultural diversity (there are immigrants here from many other parts of Africa), and its many neighbourhoods of vibrant day- and night-life.

The modern city of Casablanca was founded by Berber fishermen in the 10th Century BC and was subsequently used by the Phoenicians, Romans, and the Merenids as a strategic port called Anfa. The Portuguese destroyed it and rebuilt it under the name Casa Branca, only to abandon it after an earthquake in 1755. The Moroccan sultan rebuilt the city as Daru l-Badya and it was given its current name of Casablanca by Spanish traders who established trading bases there. The French occupied the city in 1907, establishing it as a protectorate in 1912 and starting construction of the ville nouvelle, however it gained independence with the rest of the country in 1956.

Casablanca is now Morocco's largest city with a population of almost 4 million and also boasts the world's largest artificial port but no ferry service of any kind . Casablanca is also the most liberal and progressive of Morocco's cities. Young men flirt brazenly with scantily-clad women, designer labels are the norm in the chic, beachfront neighbourhood of 'Ain Diab and many young Moroccans speak to each other exclusively in French.

But not everyone is living the Casablancan dream. Tens of thousands of rural Moroccans who fled the drought-ravaged interior to find work in the city are struggling under high unemployment rates and expensive housing. The poverty, prevalent in slums on the city's outskirts, has led to high rates of crime, drug use and prostitution.

Casablanca has a mediterranean climate with warm summers, pleasant winters and moderate rainfall (415mm or 16.3 inches). Despite being at the same latitude with Shanghai and Atlanta, the city's winters are much warmer, with the average daytime temperature is 12.6°C (54.7°F), while Shanghai's is 4.8°C (40.6°F) and Atlanta's is 6.3°C (43.3°F). Nighttime lows hover around 10°C (50°F) and while temperatures can occasionally temperatures can drop to 5°C (42°F), everything below this mark is extremely rare, as is frozen precipitation. Beware though that strong westerly winds can make the city feel much colder than it actually is. The record low is -2.7°C (27.1°F). Casablanca is blessed with very good summers, due to being located in the west coast of the Atlantic, which gives very refreshing breezes. Temperatures range from 21°C (70°F) to 26°C (79°F) and the record high is 40.5°C (104.9°F). Overall, one can visit Casablanca year-round without any significant problems.

Mohammed V International Airport (IATA: CMN) is the busiest gateway to the country and is well-connected to Europe. Royal Air Maroc flies to New York JFK,Canada, many cities in Europe, and has connecting flights to all northern and many other African countries such as Nigeria, Central African Republic, Senegal.

To get from the airport into Casablanca or vice versa, the most efficient way is to take the ONCF train, the airport train station name is Aéoport Mohamed V, which is at the airport basement level. The trains depart hourly to the city starting from 04:00 to 23:45 of the day (if going from city to airport, it's from 03:00 to 22:00). The train schedule is available at the ONCF website in French. A single 2nd class ticket is 43 Dirhams (as of January 2017). There are 5 stations at this airport train line: Aéoport Mohamed V, L'Oasis, Mers Sultan, Casa Voyageurs and Casa Port, full journey takes 45 min.

If you arrive too late for the train, a taxi into the city is a flat rate of 300DH according to the information desk; asking the taxi drivers gets a rate of 350DH. The journey to near the Medina takes around 45 minutes unless you arrive particularly early or late in the evening.

Note: there are 3-4 ATMs once you exit the arrivals area of the airport, past the customs and immigration area, but right before you go outdoors. You may have to walk to the left by 50 meters to find the ATMs, past the ticket and ground services desks.

Casa Port station is close to the center, Casa Voyageurs station is on the outskirts of the city central and then a fairly long walk or petit taxi (circa 15DH) into the centre. Maps are available at the Train Chief's office. ONCF trains including the airport line are often delayed, so it's better to plan your departure time at least 2.5~3 hours before the flight taking off, and also, please double check with the station staff the destination of the incoming train to avoid taking the wrong direction.

On arrival at Casa Voyageurs you should expect like at many train stations around the world to be besieged by touts and taxi drivers offering outrageous fares and refusing to use their meters. Even if they say they will use the meter, they will subsequently announce a 10 dirham surcharge per person or per bag applies. For destinations in the central city you will be lucky to get the fare below 30 dirhams - two to three times its likely true value. If your luggage is not heavy, simply ignore them all and walk away from the station where you are far more likely to find an honest driver who will use his meter. Alternatively, if you know the tram runs close to your accommodation, it is only 7 dirham to buy a rechargeable ticket at the stop immediately in front of the station. **Also please see the Taxis section below for a guide on how to safely and economically use the two kinds of taxis in Casablanca**.

The most convenient way to reach major Moroccan cities is by train.
The downtown station Casa Port only has a couple of trains, while all others pass through
Casa Voyageurs station, which serves trains to Meknes/Fes/Oujda, Marrakech or Tangier with stops in between. The trains are comfortable, the stations easy to navigate, and boards display the time of departure/arrival. Be sure to check the schedule [12] for express trains; for instance, the train that leaves Casablanca at 7:05AM daily takes 3 hours to reach Fes, as opposed to the normal 5 hour journey.
Trains for Rabat leave half-hourly.

Trains are divided into first and second-class compartments; the first-class ones generally cost an extra 50%, but have more room and guarantee a seat. Boarding second-class compartments during peak hours may mean that you have to stand until a seat is free.

CTM coaches (intercity buses) and various private lines run services to most notable Moroccan towns as well as a number of European cities. These run from the Gare Routière on Rue Léon l'Africain in downtown Casablanca.

The main Gare Routière (Ouled Ziane) is in the outskirts of the city and serves the same (and more) destinations as CTM. This is definitely not the best place to be around at night (as most train/bus stations in the world), but noone will try to bother you once you get inside the station. The fares are slightly cheaper and busses tend to leave more frequently, however their quality might be lower and some do take longer for the trip (always ask if they take the highway (autoroute) if available on your route). Most busses don't leave acording to a fixed schedule, but when all the places in the bus are sold out. If buying a ticket there, make sure you don't pay anyone untill you see the bus and you are sure there is a place for you to sit on.

A taxi from downtown/Casa Voyageurs should cost you no more than (12 Dh/8 Dh) or 25 Dh with a taxi meter (as of August 2013), although you may have a hard time getting this fare (especially from downtown). Bus number ten used to go there, but seems to leave from another place now, as a tramway is under construction. There is a grand taxi rank about 200m south of Place des Nations Unies running there for 6 Dh per person.

Gare Routière is so far the only place in Casablanca where you can have your luggage stored for a small fee (as of August 2013).

There is a well maintained toll that runs from Tangier to El Jadida, passing through Casablanca and Rabat.

The minimum driving age in Casablanca is 18. Always carry your driver's license and passport while driving. Avoid driving if possible-- car rental prices are high as is the accident rate. If you are leaving Casablanca by car, make sure to fill up in the city. Gas/petrol stations becomes scarce outside Casablanca.

Be aware: In Marocco there are frequently police controls for speeding (with laser gun). These are on all main roads between the coast and cities (Rabat, Agadir, Essaouira, Marrakech, Ouarzazate, Casablanca). So be aware particuler on the roads where the maximum speed is 40 or 60 km/u.

A government department puts out an exhaustive map of Casablanca in book form called Carte Guide de Casablanca that you can find in bookstores or online; in all likelihood, though, it isn't necessary.
Other than that, the centre of Casablanca is like a European city: the streets (mostly) have signs, and passersby are extremely helpful in French or Arabic and, more rarely, Spanish or English. The Medina can be hard to navigate, but it's so small that no matter how blindly you wander into it, you're never more than ten minutes from an exit.

The tram opened in December 2012.
The tram works from 6 AM to 22:30 PM during the week.
End-to-end journey times are put at 60/70 minutes.
The 31-kilometre line links some of main neighbourhoods of the city, and includes 48 stop stations.

Two of the stations, Gare de Casa-Voyageurs, and Gare de l'Oasis are located in front of train stations.

A rechargeable ticket costs 7 Dh for the first time (like 1 DH more to get the Tram-card), and a one-way trip costs 6Dh, regardless of distance. Trams run frequently, with at least one train every ten minutes during daylight and early evening hours.

Going by bus is the cheapest way to get around (5 Dh). Now that many if not all of Casablanca's bus routes have been plotted on Google Maps, it proves a quick, cheap way to get around especially if your journey is longer than a few km. It may be hard to get on a bus that is already en route, however if you begin your journey where the bus begins its route (e.g. the 84, 9, 9E and many others start at Casa Port), you are guaranteed a seat, and an unbeatable vantage point of local life. There is also an app on the Google Store that lists bus routes, as well as downloadable Google Maps that you can overlay on your normal google maps app.

There are two kinds of taxis in Casa: the Red taxi (labelled Petit Taxi across the luggage rack on their roof), and the White Taxi.

The Red Taxi is a shared taxi service that is an excellent, fast way to get around town, even for very short distances. This is how the pricing works, very easy once you get the hang of it: There are 4 concurrent meters in a red taxi, one per passenger, and of course you may be the only passenger at times). When you get in, the driver will start the meter for your assigned number (say number 1). If, one km later, he picks up another passenger, he will start meter number 2 (this is all on one electronic meter with a toggle-able display). So at this point you (passenger 1) have a meter running that has started when you boarded, and passenger 2 has meter 2 running for her starting from where she boarded. Night charges (after 9pm?) are 50% higher. No driver will ask for anything more than what is displayed on the meter. Charges start at 2Dh and go up in .2 Dh increments. This is the best way of getting around Casablanca, as these taxis are everywhere, even plying the smaller streets. As an example, in June 2017, a ride at night from Casa Port (the centre) out to Oulfa in the suburbs, around 12-15km, with the 50% surcharge, was just 80Dh! Within central Casa where most tourists may restrict themselves, the normal charge will only be between 5 and 15Dh.

The White Taxis act somewhat like buses. They have a set route and a set price, of 6Dh (June '17). The end point tends to be about 6 or 7 km away, and the ride is much, much faster than buses. This fare turns out to be cheaper than Red Taxis, however the catch is that the White Taxis leave only after they have either filled up completely, or filled up partially but the driver feels confident that he will get more passengers along the way. Another catch is that 'full capacity' is 2 in the front (apart from the driver) and 4 in the back: a bit of a squeeze even for those used to travel in dense countries, and unsuitable if you have anything more than a daypack with you. Remember you pay your 6Dh to the driver at the start of your trip! (this way you do not delay him when you are getting off at for e.g. a busy traffic junction).

The King Hassan II Mosque, Boulevard Sidi Mohammed Ben Abdallah, Tours: Sat-Thu beginning at 9AM, 10AM, 11AM and 2PM (120 MAD per person or 60 MAD for students with ISIC). A relatively new mosque, it's the largest in Morocco and the third largest in the world--also consisting of the tallest minaret in the world. It is one of the two main mosques in Morocco open to non-Muslims. Beautiful interior complete with water features, a roof that opens to the sky, a huge hammam in the basement (not in use), and beautiful tile work. Worth a trip to the city.

Old Medina, North of of the Place des Nations Unies There is a small, traditional walled town in the north of Casablanca. If you are in town it's worth a visit, but it's nothing compared to the glories of Fes or Marrakech.

The Corniche is a neighborhood on the ocean, west of the Hassan II Mosque. Decades ago, it was a thriving resort area - hotels lining the ocean side of the Boulevard de la Corniche and nightclubs lining the other side. Most look like they've seen better days, but it's almost disorienting how much it resembles the New Jersey Shore. Along the Boulevard de l'Ocean Atlantique are many newer, fancier hotels. The Corniche is also home to many western fast food chains. A new western-style movie theater can also be found here, but the best option is to walk up and down the street, resting at one of the many ocean-view cafes.

The Shrine of Sidi Abderrahman is built on a rock offshore, well past The Corniche, and is only accessible at low tide. The shrine itself is off-limits to non-Muslims, but visitors are permitted to explore the tiny, Medina-like neighborhood that has sprung up around it. A better bet is to walk to it along the beach and catch a view of the beautiful white walls before catching a cab to less remote areas.

Mahkama du Pacha This is a Hispanic-Moorish building comprised of more than 60 ornate rooms with delicately carved wooden ceilings. There are many stuccoes and intricate wrought-iron railings as well as beautifully-tiled floors. While entrance may be free it is not easy to get in. You need to find a guide to accompany you. Ask around - especially if you speak some French - as it is worth the entrance. Open hours: Mon-Sat 8:00-12:00 & 14:00-18:00. To get there take bus 81 on Boulevard de Paris.

Central Post Office Come here to send your postcards in style! Built in 1918, the facade of this building is composed of both round and rectangular shapes. Once you approach you will get a good view of the excellent mosaics.

Swimming in Ain Diab or anywhere on Moroccan Atlantic Coast can be hazardous because of rip currents. Water is usually cold even in the summer months, but there are exceptional days when the water is warm and free of rip of currents.

Next to the beach in the Ain Diab area, there you have the "Morocco Mall" , which is the second largest shopping mall of Africa. All major chains, stores and (exclusive) brands are represented in the mall, as well as an IMAX theatre and many more different activities besides shopping.

Next to Megarama Cinema and front of kind Abdulaziz mosque, there you have "Anfa Place Mall ".it's roughly the same as the former.

Around the old Medina it's easy to find places selling traditional Moroccan goods, such as tagines, pottery, leather goods, hookahs, and a whole spectrum of geegaws. In Fes or Marrakesh the selection and competition are much greater, and you can probably bargain for a lower price.

The Maarif neighborhood (near the twin center) has many name-brand European and American fashion chains, such as Zara. Designer glasses, leather shoes, and "genuine" belts, bags, and shirts can be had at bargain prices.

The Derb Ghalef neighborhood has a huge souq that is not for the faint of heart. A cluster of small shanties, each one is loaded with "genuine" mobile phones, "genuine" watches, and "genuine" "brand name" clothing. The shops are separated by alleys no more than three feet wide, some of which double as drainage ditches. There are numerous fruit smoothie stands in the center, which make a good spot for regrouping and planning your excursion. The stall owners are, of course, kings of negotiating, and without a good handle on Arabic and a strong backbone, you're likely to pay well over the going rate for anything.

La Cigale, Blvd Brahim Roudani just south of the Rampwan de L'unite Africaine. This bar is an unassuming spot close to the Park of the Arab League, with a restaurant in front that serves only the most basic food (sausage or kefta sandwiches, salads, and the like.) The bar in the back is more crowded and has live music most nights. Beer is served with a plate of olives or popcorn, and it's one of the few Moroccan-style bars where women can drink in peace. Wine and liquor are available, but only when eating in the restaurant. A few phrases in Arabic to Aisha, the barkeeper, will win her heart and ensure a constant supply of olives.

Benis Patisserie, Quartier Habous. This place is famed for having some of the best pastries in Morocco. Try one of their famous hornes des gazelles. You should also try the bastilla (one of the most luxurious and prestigious dish in the Moroco's gastronomy, and Benny's is undoubtedly the best one. Choose the pigeon or farm chicken version. You must book it in advance (05 22 30 30 25).

La Corrida, 59 Rue el Araar, ☎ +212 (0) 22 27 81 55. From the outside, it's easy to miss this restaurant, but look for the little sign ringed in blinking lights. It has a nice outdoor courtyard, but the inside is the main attraction. It's decorated like with memorabilia from Spanish bull fighting tournaments and has a dark, candle-lit vibe that's perfect for dates. The sangria is tasty, as is the Tapas menu (which changes daily). Seafood is the specialty, and the steamed mussels should not be missed. This restaurant was boarded up and no longer appears to be open as of May 2014.

Taverne du Dauphin, 115 Blvd Felix Houphouet, ☎ +212 (0) 22 22 12 00. A little seafood place within walking distance of the old medina, the port, and the Park of the Arabic League, this place can get crowded at meal times. An excellent selection of seafood and one of the widest beer selections in all of Morocco (though that's only 5 or 6 different brews) makes this a very popular lunch spot. The fish is fresh from the fishermen at the port, and the shellfish (oysters, mussels and so on) are delicious. When paying, however, keep an eye on the waiters: they'll "help you count the money," which can turn into an elaborate shell game where they'll slip some of the cash into their own pocket.

Le Kobe D'Or, 9 Rue Abou Salt El Andaloussi (just off of Brahim Roudani), ☎ +212 (0) 22 98 07 25. An asian restaurant that is hard to miss, as it has an enormous red neon sign. The inside is nicely decorated in dark red, with lots of mirrors and asian details. The food is ho-hum; the soups are great but the chicken tends to be overcooked. Still, a nice place for a quick snack close to the Maarif, a good shopping area.

La Sqala, Blvd. Des Almohades, ☎ +212 (0) 22 26 09 60. Built in the remains of an old fortress, this place is worth as much as a cultural attraction as it is a restaurant. On the outskirts of the old medina, it has cannons, walls, defensive positions, and portcullises as well as a nice, clean eating environment. The atmosphere tends to be a little on the touristy side, but the food is a good modern look at traditional Moroccan foods. Some dishes are vegetarian and vegan. They also have the obligatory Moroccan pastries and teas if you're just in the mood for a snack. Great photo opportunity.

Al Mounia, 95 Rue Prince Moulay Abdullah, ☎ +212 (0) 22 22 26 69. This restaurant has an excellent courtyard with a hundred year-old tree. The main drawback is that since this restaurant is listed in most guidebooks, it fills up with tourists at an early hour. The cooking is mostly traditional Moroccan foods, with some of the best couscous in the country. There is also an extensive wine list.

Located in the center of Casablanca, this restaurant offers a variety of Spanish dishes, very good rice and paellas dishes and a great selection of authentic Spanish tapas and local and imports wines and beers. Open from noon until midnight without interruption, its nice decor and friendly service make it a must in Casablanca.

Rick's Cafe, 248 Rue Sour Jdid, ☎ +212 (0) 22 27 42 07. This restaurant has recreated the eponymous cafe from the movie Casablanca, and has done so without being cheesy. Excellent location, within a 20 minute walk of the Hassan II Mosque and in the walls of the Old Medina bordering the ocean. The food is excellent. Eat at one of the tables on the second floor for an excellent view of the seats below and the niveau-Moroccan decorations, or eat on the ground floor to be nearer the piano player who plays, of course, As Time Goes By among other classics. Excellent selection of wine and liquor and, for Morocco, beer (5 different brands). The waitstaff, in tuxedos and Fezes, are superb. Cost of dinner for 2 up to 800 DH. Alternatively, eat elsewhere and come here for drinks at the ever-so-classy bar, and soak up the 1940's Casablanca atmosphere. Dress code enforced [[13]].

Ô Sushi, 27 Lotissement Assalama Sidi Maarouf, ☎ +212 (0) 52 27 87 904. Sushi is catching on in a big way in Morocco. This little place, on a side street near the prefectural police headquarters, is one of the best. New, clean, and trendy, you're unlikely to find anyone in it before 10pm. They serve all the sushi classics- Nigiri, Sashimi, Hosomaki, Maki, Futomakis, and assorted other fish items. Though tasty, it can get expensive if your aim is to fill yourself up. Not very many options for vegan diners.

Nightlife in Casablanca has mixed reviews. Women might feel a bit uncomfortable with the mostly male crowds in many bars and nightclubs. But if you dig a bit, you'll find some excellent spots to drink, dance and people watch. Certain clubs are flooded with prostitutes at night. It is not advised to bring a girl back to a hotel.

If you want a drink in your hotel room, supermarkets like Acima and Marjane carry a wide variety of liquor and wine, though the beer selection is fairly stunted. The best places to drink are either European-style restaurants, which usually have a decent selection, or hotel bars, which are inevitably safer and more relaxed. Many western-style nightclubs exist in the Maarif and Gironde neighborhoods. Pubs will cost around 100 dirhams per head, it will be half if visited in the happy hours from 7PMto 11PM. Pubs to visit Tiger House, La Notte.

Kasbar, 7 Rue Najib Mahfoud, Gauthier (On a street between Blvd Anfa and Blvd Souktani.), ☎+212 022 20 47 47. A dark and atmospheric place to grab a drink or dinner. Any kind of attire will fly, but if you want to dress up, a night at Kasbar is your chance. edit

La Bodega, Rue Mohammed 5 (Near the old downtown and Medina). A Spanish tapas bar, quite original. There can be a wait to get into the basement bar; but once you get inside, you're rewarded with bartenders who eat fire. It's pretty expensive, though, and only frequented by tourists.edit

Atlas Airport Hotel, Close to the airport (There is normally a bus waiting outside the airport building), ☎+212522536200, [1]. A modern hotel very close to the airport. This is the default accommodation for passengers with missed connections etc, so the price will most likely be covered by the airline. Food is basic but adequate. Wireless internet is available in a few places in the building, but you have to search for the signal - try the ground floor near the gift shop.edit

There are some Budget options (150-300 Dirham for a double room) near the Tram Station "Station marché Central". You may take a Taxi from Casa Voyageur directly to this station for about 10 dirham metered fare.

YHI Hostel, Boulevard des Almohades (in the medina, on the right if you look at the Hotel Central). By far the cheapest options, with his 80 dirhams per dormitory. It's a YHI hostel it means it's cheap and not fancy but who cares. There is a gigantic common space. Around many cafes and restaurants.80 Dh for the dormitory. ("33°36'02.4"N",7°37'02.4 W)edit

Hotel Terminus, Ave Bahmad, Place de la Gare, Casa-Voyageurs (150 meters to West from the train station). Located directly across from the Casa Voyageurs train station, this hostel is not a cheap option for travelers watching their cash. The price is very high for what it is. 250 DH for a 2 bed room with a sink. There are communal toilets on each floor and a shower behind the reception desk. Stay here only if you don't have another choice because all things in the hotel are very old and very dirty I could not sleep at all.~180 Dh. (33 35' 24 N,7 35' 35 W)edit

Hotel Central, 20 Place Ahmad el Bidaoui (on the port side of the Medina. Ask your taxi driver for the Auberge de Jeunesse which is on the same square). Located in the Old Medina, this simple hotel is a good budget option. The owners are friendly and have been known to give complimentary cups of mint tea to weary travelers. Breakfast of tea/coffee, a boiled egg, olives, fresh bread from the medina, jam and yoghurt is one of the best offered by a budget hotel in Morocco. Good restaurants adjacent to the hotel. Keep your wits about you at night as the Medina isn't the safest area.150-350 MAD. edit

Hyatt Regency Casablanca, Place des Nations Unies (In the commercial district.), ☎+ 212 22 43 1234 ([email protected]), [3]. checkin: 12:00pm; checkout: 15:00pm. You can choose rooms with views of Hassan II Mosque. Has a pool and several good restaurants. Live entertainment in the evenings.edit

Sofitel Casablanca Tour Blanche, Rue Sidi Belyout, ☎+212 522456200, [4]. Considered a the best Luxury five star hotel in the Capital with over 141 rooms and 30 suites, with butler service and breathtaking views of the city and ocean, were designed by Marc Hertrich and Nicolas Adnet. This is ideal for business trips or exploring the city. Located near the Old Medina and Hassan II Mosque and across the street from new stylish & brand new Gare Casa Port.1980 MAD. edit

Novotel Casablanca City Center, Angle Zaid Ouhmad, Rue Sidi Belyout, ☎+212 522466500, [5]. A four star hotel with over 200 rooms, this is a great spot for conferences and people looking for a bit of luxury. Expansive buffet breakfast, although a touch pricey. Located near the Old Medina and Hassan II Mosque and across the street from Gare Port.950 MAD. edit

Le Royal Mansour Meridien, Avenue de l'Armée Royale, Casablanca 21000, Morocco, ☎020 7644 1755, [6]. Live in luxury with in-room movies and a 24 hour butler service ,relax at the spa with hammam and sauna, and immerse yourself in Moroccan culture at La Douira or the delightful conservatory of Le Jardin d'Hiver£629. edit

Casablanca is served by all of the mobile companies that can be found elsewhere in Morocco. Inwi, Orange, and Maroc Telecom (IAM) are the most common. Mobile phones can be bought in any of these store's stands, and most do not run on calling plans. Rather, recharge cards can be bought in corner stores that contain a number to call. When that number is called, the company adds the price of the card to your account's balance. Alternatively, more than one SIM card can be bought and changed in and out of the phone, if users need more than one phone number.

SIM cards from are sometimes given out for free (at the airport, and by promoters who you can find standing around in the city wearing company uniforms). The free SIM cards come with a little bit of calling/texting/internet credit. However, these must be activated before you can use it, by calling 555 (automated system is in French only), or asking them to help you activate so you can call and use internet. You can add data to the plan for 10DH for 1GB of data. These can be purchased at stores, or ask for help from the telecom people.

Internet

Internet cafes: Internet access is available in cyber cafes around the city. Service is usually around 1€ per hour.

Wifi: You'll find wifi access in many hotels and in some places such as America Café or La Brioche Dorée, usually those labelled a bit "trendy"

Mobile Internet: Phone companies offer mobile internet services that plug into the USB port of your computer (currently, there are no mac-compatible devices.) These services can be had without signing a contract, and are recharged in the same manner as a telephone.

Almost all of the things to see in Casablanca are in the north of the city; very few maps even show the southern end of this sprawling metropolis. Common sense will alleviate 99% of problems; try to look as little like a tourist as possible, do not flash large quantities of cash, and so on. Faux guides are much less of a problem here than in the rest of Morocco and are limited mainly to the area around the Old Medina. It is inadvisable to walk alone in Casablanca at night. Women, as in all Moroccan cities, should dress modestly to avoid harassment (which almost always consists of lewd comments, but nothing physical.)

Casablanca is unlikely to provide North American or European travellers with any headaches. Despite being a major population center and seat of commerce, the majority of the town is less than 50 years old and could easily be mistaken for Los Angeles or Madrid. Food is as European as it gets in Morocco, with pizzas and hamburgers as frequent as tajines and couscous. In some areas, such as the Maarif and Gironde neighborhoods, seeing a man in a djellaba or a donkey pulling a cart of vegetables are rarities. If even the trappings of Moroccan culture such as these are too much for you, any hotel bar or restaurant is going to be just like home for a few hours.

The majority of travellers leaving Morocco from Casablanca will leave from the Mohammed V airport (accessible by train [14] Leaving Casablanca for other Moroccan cities is likely to be by rail: the main train station is Casa Voyageur (as opposed to Casa Port, which is a special side stop not served by many trains.) Grand taxis are the best way to exit the city for smaller outlying villages. There are no boat or ferry services available in Casablanca.
You may take Supratours or CTM coaches that travels through out Morocco.
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